Six vie for Adrian city commission

Monday

Oct 23, 2017 at 5:00 PM

Candidates answer questions in first of two-part preview of race

Lonnie Huhman Daily Telegram Staff Writer @lenaweehuhman

ADRIAN — Six people — incumbent John Dudas and newcomers Brad Watson, Scott Jay Smith, Shane Mackey, David Munson and Devin Stevens — are running for three Adrian City Commission seats. Each one brings with them different experiences, styles and talents. However, each one has the same goal in mind: to serve the Adrian community.

The following is the the Q and A with the first three candidates — the second part with the other three will be in Tuesday’s edition. Through email, candidates were asked to keep each answer to 100 words.

John Dudas

What do you want the community to know about you?

I was born in Adrian, raised in Onsted, and have lived in Adrian for the past 23 years. In 2013, I was elected city commissioner. I have 20 years of technology management experience and just started with Foundation Realty as a Realtor. After graduating from Siena Heights University I obtained an MBA from the Keller School of Management. I enjoy being a city commissioner and look forward to serving the city again when re-elected. I believe we should follow the strategic plan, be accountable to the city charter, eliminate blight, and be transparent with the public.

What’s your opinion on the oil trust?

The oil trust should be secured for our future investments in capital projects or improvements. I am in favor of the ballot initiative to preserve the funds in the oil trust. Currently, the commission can decide to spend it all on a pet project. I would prefer to continue to invest it and spend it carefully. There is no more powerful investment than the value of compound interest. It will provide many projects for the city in the future, if properly maintained.

What’s your opinion on medical marijuana facilities?

Having medical marijuana dispensaries and processing facilities will help those in need get access to medicine they cannot get locally. It does not mean we will become a marijuana town. With all the surrounding communities implementing it, we will be another option. We can provide a safe product that is tested, regulated and tracked throughout the process rather than allowing the illegal activities to continue. We must remain cautious while allowing it to those that need it for medical use. I would be in favor of pills, oils, and other edibles with proper state licensing.

If elected, how do you plan on keeping in mind the citizens of Adrian in each city commission decision you make?

I have had the citizens in mind with every decision I make. I strive to consider what is best for Adrian now and 10 years from now. I ask our residents their opinion and make decisions based on that input while also considering the impact to the greater good. When we follow the process and work within the city charter we are keeping each citizen in mind. I have held the commission and individuals accountable for the charter and will continue if the people re-elect me. We are all a reflection of the community we live in.

What question do you want to be asked and how would you answer it?

Why should we vote for John Dudas?

I am a person of integrity, with a purpose of advancing Adrian with new opportunities. Instead of saying “Why?” we should be saying “What If?” Every candidate will say they care about the city and the voters, but what else ar they bringing to the commission? I have the experience to lead this commission forward. We will be more transparent than previous commissions by sharing the process with the community. We have added many new investments in our city and we need to continue the progress. I hope you will vote to have me continue serving the city of Adrian.

Shane Mackey

What do you want the community to know about you?

I’m no different than anyone else in the community. We have all made mistakes, some bigger than others. The important part is that we learn from life’s hard lessons, improve ourselves and continue on our journey in life. Like most of us, I only want what's best for our community and I'm willing to offer my services to the community to achieve that end.

What’s your opinion on the oil trust?

The oil trust is a community asset derived from a community resource, so the revenues generated from this asset should be spent directly on the community and should not be used to defray expenses that would otherwise be paid by the general fund. Using these revenues to fund a blight elimination program for individual homeowners is one example of how this money could be spent directly on the community and simultaneously solve what has been a persistent problem in our neighborhoods.

What’s your opinion on medical marijuana facilities?

It is not the government’s job to legislate morality. Adults have the right to make their own decisions so long as those decisions do not create a risk of harm to others, so I do not oppose medical marijuana facilities.

If elected, how do you plan on keeping in mind the citizens of Adrian in each city commission decision you make?

That fact that this question is even asked is disturbing. A city commissioner’s job is to make decisions for the community at large, so how could you not keep the community in mind?

What question do you want to be asked and how would you answer it?

Why did I get involved?

Michigan ranks 18th out of the 50 states for the highest property taxes. Within Michigan, the city of Adrian pays one of the highest tax rates, higher than some of the most affluent communities in the state, including Ann Arbor, Plymouth, Canton, Northville, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Rochester, Farmington Hills, etc. What do we get in return? We have to pay for trash services that we've already paid for with our tax dollars. We have to pay for imprudent decision-making by unqualified city officials. For example, we paid $1 million to change one-way streets that existed for decades into two-way streets, and no one even checked to see if this significant investment had any impact whatsoever on our local economy. When imprudent decision making is not in play, cronyism takes over, and our hard-earned tax dollars are given away to millionaires who already have enough money for themselves and their entire families for many generations to come. Enough is enough. It is time to take back city hall and install real transparency and accountability in our local government.

David Munson

What do you want the community to know about you?

This is the first time I have run for public office. I am not driven by ambition or a need to hold office, but I do have an unshakeable need and commitment to serve the people of Adrian. I have been serving Adrian in one capacity or another for over 33 years. I am currently Treasurer of the Downtown Development Authority and a member of the Adrian Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. I attend City Commission meetings. I believe I have unique experience and tested leadership to help tackle serious issues ahead, known and unknown. I am a creative problem solver. More important, I have exceptional ability to be among the first to recognize good ideas from others. It doesn’t have to be my idea for me to go all-in to help it succeed. I have done my best work in support of others.

I grew up working in our family business. In 1980, I was chosen to create Indiana’s first Small Business Assistance Center. In four years I worked with hundreds of people who wanted to start or grow a small business. I built partnerships with other organizations and attracted volunteers to increase the scope and quality of assistance. It made a big difference for a lot of people and families. The state replicated the model in other cities.

I moved to Adrian in early 1984 to serve as the president of the Lenawee County Chamber of Commerce. From 1984-2007 the Chamber played a pivotal role in attracting or retaining over 6,000 manufacturing jobs and $1.4-billion in capital investment. The Chamber became highly-respected in Lansing and helped shape state economic development policies. Lenawee Now is the direct successor and has improved and expanded marketing Adrian and Lenawee as a place to work, live and play. Lenawee Now has also diversified its mission to address a broader range of businesses. That is the main reason I will vote “Yes” for the Lenawee County Separate Tax question in November.

From 2007 to 2015, I was a professional site selector for manufacturing projects in 15 states and Director of Government Relations for two large companies. I worked with mayors, councils / commissions in over 50 municipalities across the country. That gives me some comparative insights on how local governments work (and don’t work).

The University of Michigan says one of the best pathways out of poverty is to help people start their own businesses. Since 2015, I volunteered up to 40 hours a week trying to establish new resources to help residents start their own businesses. As a Commissioner, I could help draft and adopt policies and plans that encourage and support new business startups. We should target special efforts to first-generation entrepreneurs.

Adrian does not have a comprehensive economic development plan. We need a city plan that fills the gaps between the excellent services Lenawee Now and Visit Lenawee provide. The Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce recently committed to helping fill that space. The city must collaborate with these three organizations to have the greatest success

What’s your opinion on the oil trust?

I think the current structure is best and I will personally vote “No” on the ballot question. I support Commissioner (Allen) Heldt’s initiative that put the issue in front of voters this November. I will support the majority decision. I am concerned that there have not been any private-sector committees formed (to my knowledge) to help voters understand the issue and potential effects of a vote either way. Maybe the issue has been discussed enough over the years that voters know what they want. It is important that everyone remembers to vote on this question.

I believe flexibility in the potential use of these funds will serve the community better in the long run. At the same time, I am unable to think of anything I would agree to spend the principal on over the next several years — unless we have a natural disaster or other catastrophe. I think commissioners should be trusted with this responsibility. Voters should elect commissioners they trust.

What’s your opinion on medical marijuana facilities?

I support a limited number of dispensaries (2-3) – thoughtfully located - to serve the needs of local people who are permitted by the State of Michigan to have access for medical reasons. I believe that derivatives of marijuana have medical and palliative benefits for some conditions. Many of us have used derivatives of opium to alleviate pain after surgery. A plant is a plant. If marijuana had been discovered first by the pharmaceutical industry, there would be no issue today. I attended the Public Hearing on this issue. I listen to people. I did my own extensive research among medical practitioners I trust. I stand with those who favor compassion for others on the issue of licensed dispensaries.

I do not currently have a hard position on other types of facilities in Adrian. I feel I would have to know a lot more about the positives and negatives of each additional type of use before I would vote for something other than a couple of dispensaries. If rushed, I would vote “No.” My biggest concerns are that, as far as I know, the community does not get a huge benefit (wages and taxes) from other uses, but the owners make incredible profits. It is a cash business. What will the owners do with all that money? I fear that absentee owners might spend their money in ways that could harm this community. At present, I am an open-minded “No.” I would have to see significant benefits for city residents — and hear significant support — before I would consider supporting another type use. There is a lot of due diligence and background checks on people who invest in casinos. I would like to see the same type investigation into the backgrounds of people who would invest in growing, testing and transportation facilities here. I am not afraid of confronting these issues, but I want more information.

If elected, how do you plan on keeping in mind the citizens of Adrian in each city commission decision you make?

When I was president of the Lenawee Chamber, I talked to anyone who approached me on the sidewalk, in grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Day after day, year after year, I was happy to talk to people and they gave me a lot of good ideas. Ask my family. Ask anyone who knows me. I start conversations in town with people I don’t know. I am already accessible and I will remain available throughout a four-year term. I have a need to serve in some way. Right now, I believe the best way I can help Adrian is to be on the Adrian City Commission. If voters don’t choose me, I will find other ways to serve and I will continue to be available to people who have questions or suggestions for our city. I have always put people first and I will always put Adrian voters, residents and investors first.

What question do you want to be asked and how would you answer it?

So, you’re 67 years old and this is the first time you’ve tossed your hat in the ring to run for public office. Why not earlier, and why now?

I was elected senior class president at Muncie Central High School, with nearly 600 people in my class. By the time I was a junior, I realized many students never attended after-school social events. I ran for senior class president on a platform to make class committees and social activities more open, inviting and representative of who we were as a student body. As we started our senior year, it became apparent that lack of transportation on week nights was the biggest obstacle. My dad owned a used car lot. We started signups for all our class activities and I borrowed a station wagon or van (convertibles, when I could swing it) and ran a free ride service for anyone. Participation and diversity went up dramatically. We are closer as a class today, 49 years later, because everyone wanted this and participated. I said it at a convocation, but it turned out everyone was thinking it. Everyone deserves credit.

My first job outside our family business was starting the Small Business Assistance Center in 1980 (described previously). The primary goal given to me was helping minorities, women, low-income and disabled persons start or grow small businesses. All people who requested help were assisted, but continued funding was based in part on helping first-generation entrepreneurs.

What I accomplished after moving to Adrian in 1984 is described above. The point is, I love public service and realized I could champion economic development and social goals just as effectively working closely with elected officials, without running for office myself.

I never accomplished anything of note without a great deal of community support. Adrian has invested a lot in me and I want to return as much of that as possible, for as long as possible. I was, at first, a reluctant candidate, and I think that is a good quality. As I study the issues we face, including some we have deferred (pension liabilities, etc.) and unforeseen challenges ahead, I believe I have the right experience and skills to be a leader in seizing opportunities and solving complex problems, making this community stronger and better for all. It starts, as always, with community support (your vote) and my personal commitment to seek positive outcomes by being respectful of others, collaborative, whenever possible, and anxious always to listen to citizens, who hold many of the ideas and answers.

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